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Upcoming Events

  • Sheffield Gem Mine Members Dig Field Trip
    Sheffield Gem Mine Members Dig Field Trip
    Sun, Jun 07
    Sheffield Gem Mine
    "HOME OF THE HONKERS"
  • June Members Monthly Meeting: ROCKO!
    June Members Monthly Meeting: ROCKO!
    Mon, Jun 15
    Grace Lutheran Church
    Get ready for one of our favorite club traditions! Come join us for our June monthly meeting for a fun-filled evening of playing ROCKO—a special, rockhound-inspired twist on classic Bingo!
  • Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine HCGMS Members Field Trip
    Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine HCGMS Members Field Trip
    Sun, Jul 12
    Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine
    Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine is Macon County's ONLY 100% Unsalted Gem Mine, located in the heart of the beautiful Cowee Valley of North Carolina's Smoky Mountains. Open to all active dues paying members. Non refundable. Rain or Shine. $30 per person.
  • HCGMS Annual Summer Picnic
    HCGMS Annual Summer Picnic
    Sat, Jul 18
    Jackson Park Pavilion 2
    Join the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society for our annual Summer Potluck Picnic on Saturday, July 18th at Jackson Park, Pavilion 2 in Hendersonville, NC!
  • July Members Monthly Meeting: Make & Take
    July Members Monthly Meeting: Make & Take
    Mon, Jul 20
    Grace Lutheran Church
    Join us on July 20th for our monthly members meet up where we will enjoy learning some new crafting techniques utilizing metals, stones, and beads to make craft items. Our "make and take" is an annual tradition and a favorite amongst our members.
  • August Monthly Meeting: Exploring Moldavite with Linda Connelly
    August Monthly Meeting: Exploring Moldavite with Linda Connelly
    Mon, Aug 17
    Grace Lutheran Church
    Join the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society on Monday, August 17th at 6:30 PM for a fascinating presentation on one of the world's most intriguing gemstones—Moldavite.
  • September Monthly Meeting: Crystals, Culture & Current Trends
    September Monthly Meeting: Crystals, Culture & Current Trends
    Mon, Sep 21
    Grace Lutheran Church
    Join the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society on Monday, September 21st from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM for an engaging presentation exploring the fascinating intersection of crystals, culture, and lapidary arts.
  • Minerals, Gems & Jewelry – 3-Day Extravaganza
    Minerals, Gems & Jewelry – 3-Day Extravaganza
    Multiple Dates
    Fri, Oct 02
    National Guard Armory
    Join the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society for our annual Minerals, Gems & Jewelry 3-Day Extravaganza, a beloved community event showcasing the beauty, science, and wonder of the earth’s natural treasures.
  • Minerals, Gems & Jewelry – 3-Day Extravaganza
    Minerals, Gems & Jewelry – 3-Day Extravaganza
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, Oct 03
    National Guard Armory
    Join the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society for our annual Minerals, Gems & Jewelry 3-Day Extravaganza, a beloved community event showcasing the beauty, science, and wonder of the earth’s natural treasures.
  • Minerals, Gems & Jewelry – 3-Day Extravaganza
    Minerals, Gems & Jewelry – 3-Day Extravaganza
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, Oct 04
    National Guard Armory
    Join the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society for our annual Minerals, Gems & Jewelry 3-Day Extravaganza, a beloved community event showcasing the beauty, science, and wonder of the earth’s natural treasures.
  • November Monthly Meeting: Annual Gem & Mineral Silent Auction
    November Monthly Meeting: Annual Gem & Mineral Silent Auction
    Mon, Nov 16
    Grace Lutheran Church
    Join the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society on November 16th for one of our most anticipated events of the year—our Annual Silent Auction!
  • HCGMS Annual Holiday Party & Gift Exchange
    HCGMS Annual Holiday Party & Gift Exchange
    RSVP Closed
    Sat, Dec 05
    Location is TBD
    Celebrate the season with your fellow rockhounds at the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society's annual Holiday Party on December 5th! Location and cost TBD.
  • April Member Meeting Presented by Shields Flynn
    April Member Meeting Presented by Shields Flynn
    Sold Out
    Mon, Apr 20
    1245 6th Ave W
    Shields Flynn is a North Carolina-based geologist, rockhound, and author known for his expertise in regional minerals and gemology. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1956–1960), Flynn authored "Unearthing North Carolina's Mineral Treasures," a 104-page book highlighting.
  • March 2026 Club Meeting: Meteorites
    March 2026 Club Meeting: Meteorites
    RSVP Closed
    Mon, Mar 16
    1245 6th Ave W
    All are welcomed to attend our first club meeting of 2026! Our special guest speaker will be teaching us about Meteorites
  • Metal Clay Fine Silver Jewelry Class
    Metal Clay Fine Silver Jewelry Class
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, Feb 08
    Mineral & Lapidary Museum. Blue Door
    In this two day class students will explore the unique properties of Fine Silver (.999) metal clay and create a pair of earrings OR a pendant. Attendees will learn basic skills of roling, texturing, use of molds, cutting, and refining the clay to prepare for firing.
  • Metal Clay Fine Silver Jewelry Class
    Metal Clay Fine Silver Jewelry Class
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, Feb 07
    Mineral & Lapidary Museum. Blue Door
    In this two day class students will explore the unique properties of Fine Silver (.999) metal clay and create a pair of earrings OR a pendant. Attendees will learn basic skills of roling, texturing, use of molds, cutting, and refining the clay to prepare for firing.

DMC Field Trip hosted by HCGMS @ Mason Mountain Mine

Wed, Jul 22

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Mason Mountain Rhodolite Mine

OPEN TO ACTIVE DUES PAYING CLUB MEMBERS ONLY Voted Macon County's Best Gem Mining In 2024 & 2025!

Registration is closed
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DMC Field Trip hosted by HCGMS @ Mason Mountain Mine
DMC Field Trip hosted by HCGMS @ Mason Mountain Mine

Time & Location

Jul 22, 2026, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT

Mason Mountain Rhodolite Mine, 5315 Bryson City Rd Franklin NC 28734

About the event

Our native dirt pile is where your gem mining experience begins. 100% native dirt (unsalted – nothing added) from our private mine site located atop Mason Mountain is brought down to the water flume for miners to sift through. Here is where you'll find a wide variety of minerals including Rhodolite Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Kyanite, Moonstone, Cordierite and Smoky Quartz.

Our experienced staff will guide you in how to discover the native gemstones. We have gemstone charts available to help you identify your findings as well. Just place the dirt in the screen (provided for you) and rinse thoroughly in the water flume. Concentrate on material that is smooth, heavy and has color. Until you become familiar with the native material, our staff will be onsite to help you find all of the hidden treasures!

100% Native dirt. Nothing added. This is as real as it gets!

Native Private Dig…


Tickets

  • General Admission

    This in a non refundable event. Rain or Shine.

    $50.00

    +$1.25 ticket service fee

    Sale ended

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